Preventing Cardiovascular Disease...
Lifestyle Medicine - Health Coaching
If you are serious about making lifestyle changes to improve your overall health and reduce your risk of metabolic diseases like cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer, osteoarthritis and dementia, but don't know where to start, you may want to consider seeking the help of a qualified health professional.
We work with you to ensure you are making and adhering to meaningful, evidence-based lifestyle changes. We also focus on identify and addressing gaps in your preventative care and will educate you about your specific risk factors for chronic disease and known medical conditions.
Understanding Your Risk for Cardiovascular Disease...
#1: Coronary Artery Calcium Scan
The most important test that we can do to determine our risk of cardiovascular disease is to have a coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan completed. The CAC scan assesses the amount of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries and helps to determine our risk of heart disease and heart attack. While the scan is useful in assessing risk, it doesn't determine the cause of heart disease.
In Alberta, you can get a private coronary calcium (CAC) scan at facilities like Mayfair Diagnostics and Canada Diagnostic Centres, however, these scans are not covered by Alberta Health Care and require a private payment. Cost: $299 - $495
#2: Insulin Resistance
#2: Insulin Resistance
#2: Insulin Resistance
Screening for insulin resistance is the second most important thing we can do to determine our risk for developing cardiovascular disease.
Having elevated fasting insulin levels indicates that our cells are insulin resistant. The fasting insulin (INS) test is a crucial diagnostic tool used to assess insulin levels in the blood after a period of fasting, typically 8-12 hours.
Fasting insulin that is <10 uIU/mL is considered optimal or ideal.
If your doctor is not willing to order this test for you, it can be scheduled at a Private Lab in Calgary, Alberta called Health Today Inc.
Suite 113, 7015 Macleod Trail SW
Calgary, AB T2H 2K6
Fasting Insulin: $99
Fasting Glucose: $99
Use your fasting insulin and fasting glucose test results to determine your HOMA-IR Score below.
#3: C-Reactive Protein
#2: Insulin Resistance
#2: Insulin Resistance
Elevated C-Reactive Protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, including heart attacks and strokes, and can be used to assess cardiovascular risk, especially when measured using a high-sensitivity test.
Low Risk: CRP levels < 1 mg/L
High Risk: CRP levels > 3 mg/L
If your doctor is not willing to order this test for you, it can be scheduled at a Private Lab in Calgary, Alberta called Health Today Inc.
Suite 113, 7015 Macleod Trail SW
Calgary, AB T2H 2K6
High Sensitivity CRP: $110
#4: NMR Lipid Profile
#2: Insulin Resistance
#4: NMR Lipid Profile
An NMR LipoProfile is a blood test that measures the number and size of lipoprotein particles in your blood.
The NMR LipoProfile test is an FDA-approved blood test that directly measures the amount of LDL circulating in the body. LDL is a low-density lipoprotein that has long been recognized as a major causal factor in the development of heart disease. Historically LDL cholesterol has been used to predict LDL levels.
Today a more reliable measure of LDL exists that directly counts the number of LDL particles a patient has using NMR technology.
This test is extremely important in assessing our risk because simply having high cholesterol does not predict heart disease. Rather, it is the size and type of particle that matters; particles that contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease are particles that contain ApoB (LDL, VLDL, IDL).
Keep in mind that these particles contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease at a faster rate in the presence of insulin resistance and inflammation.
If your doctor is not willing to order this test for you, it can be scheduled at a Private Lab in Calgary, Alberta called Health Today Inc.
Suite 113, 7015 Macleod Trail SW
Calgary, AB T2H 2K6
NMR Lipid Profile: $180